Gun Ownership

Today there are more guns than people in the United States, and with gun ownership comes responsibility.

Brady acknowledges the important role that responsible gun owners play in our communities and especially in gun violence prevention.

As you engage in the three different stages of gun ownership – before, during, and after the purchase of a firearm – there are important steps to take to both protect your family and help keep guns from being misused.

Just four simple steps – ASK, ACT, TALK, and LEARN – will help mitigate the risks of gun ownership and support gun dealers that prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands

TALK to those you live with about what it would mean for you to bring a gun into your shared living space.

LEARN about the risk of family fire – a shooting involving an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home, resulting in death or injury – and the ways you can avoid it

While buying a gun:

ASK what responsible business practices and reasonable measures your gun dealer takes to prevent straw purchasers, firearms traffickers, prohibited purchasers, and other dangerous people from acquiring firearms, and ask how many crime guns have been traced back to their store.

ACT by only buying your firearm(s) from a dealer that has a satisfactory answer to the above questions.

After buying a gun:

ASK about programs and policies in your community – such as safe storage options and extreme risk laws – that help reduce the risk of family fire. Local police departments are a great first resource to learn about community programs.

TALK with your friends, family, and community about responsible gun ownership and safe storage practices.

LEARN more about Brady’s programs, where we invite gun owners and non-gun owners to be part of the conversation – and the solution.

Whether hunting or target shooting have been part of your family for generations or you’re a new gun owner, there are steps we can all take to continue to enjoy guns as part of our lifestyle while also working to prevent gun violence.

If there comes a time in your life when you decide you no longer want a gun that's in your possession, please make sure to check the local laws and regulations regarding removing that gun from your possession. As different states have different laws, asking your local police department is a great place to start.